Tweens and teens have been obsessing over skincare trends, which could be both good and bad for these youth.
Skin Care Craze Among Youth
According to Dr. Usha Rajagopal, the medical director at the San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center, social media is a primary driver of youth's interest in this skincare.
Dermatologist Dr. Sheilagh Maguiness, president of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology, also agrees, noting that "influencers" and celebrities reveal their complicated and elaborate skin care routines with expensive and fancy products. Tweens and teens may think these items are suitable for the skin.
Moreover, Dr. Maguiness says that tweens have been collectors for a long time. Earlier generations may have gathered Beanie Babies, but skincare is quite the trend now.
Though having skincare routines at a young age could yield certain benefits, these practices also come with risks. Dr. Maguiness says that what's not great about this trend is that some of the products used for youth skin care are not necessarily appropriate or good for the skin.
Adolescents are being marketed to purchase products with bright packages and trendy, extraordinary looks. However, such packages actually contain extremely strong products, Dr. Maguiness notes, adding that there are no 12-year-olds who need retinol.
Skin Care Do's and Don'ts
There are some do's and do n'ts when it comes to skin care.
One recommended skin care regimen is to apply sun protection. According to Dr. Rajagopal, younger individuals are now more informed regarding the importance of sun damage prevention. On top of helping with wrinkles and sun damage, this practice could also reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. Dr. Maguiness suggests using sunscreen with SPF levels of at least 30 after washing one's face in the morning. This can then be swapped for a gentle moisturizer in the evening.
Dr. Maguiness adds that at any age, the only preventative product that is necessary is sunscreen. Applying it is the primary thing to do in order to prevent skin aging and skin cancer risk.
On top of this, it is also recommended to seek expert advice regarding skin concerns from a dermatologist.
As for things to avoid, it is important not to go overboard with skincare. Dr. Maguiness shares that she gets to see teenage girls in her clinic with bags of skin care products. However, these products actually damage the barrier of their skin, drying it out. These girls are also developing irritant dermatitis and using products that are not suitable for their skin type.
Some harsh ingredients that the youth should avoid are AHA and BHA (alpha and beta hydroxy acids), products with high fragrance, alcohol, retinoids, and retinol, according to Dr. Smita Ramanadham, a plastic surgeon.
She adds that the primary skincare category to avoid is anti-aging products. The skin of the youth does not need this, as their skin has elastin and collagen. Young skin is also hydrated, so extra ingredients are not necessary.
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